Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan with Luxury & Style (15 Days): Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-UT-15-6-8-10-RAIJ
DAY
1: Arrive Tashkent & Ferghana, UZBEKISTAN
On arrival in Tashkent you will be met and taken directly to you
hotel. After lunch, get an introduction to Uzbekistan and its
capital city on a brief orientation tour. Later this afternoon fly
east to Namangan and drive to Ferghana, a populated are of
Uzbekistan’s fertile Ferghana Valley.
►Some suggested Tashkent hotels (in alphabetical order): Hotel Dedeman Silk Road, Tashkent Intercontinental – Tashkent
►Suggested hotel in Ferghana: Hotel Asia Ferghana
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 2: Ferghana, UZBEKISTAN
This morning travel to the village of Margilan to tour the Yodgarlik
Silk Factory. Meet the silk weavers and learn about the variations
of silk weaving and the dyeing processes. See carpet weaving and the
traditional block printing on cloth. Explore the artisan quarters at
Madrasah Syed, before proceeding to Rishtan to meet master potter
Rustam Usmanov. Visit his workshop and small pottery museum, before
a delightful lunch at home with his family. Return to Ferghana in
the late afternoon. ►Suggested hotel: Hotel Asia Ferghana
DAY 3: Ferghana to Kokand & Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN
This morning drive west toward Tashkent. Stop en route to visit the
fort residence of Kokand Khanate, the last khan ruler when this
region was Khan Khodoyar. After Russia annexed this area, the
Tsarist troops destroyed the fortifications, but today the fort’s
museum gives you a good feel for what daily life was like in the
Khanate days. Continue along the Great Silk Road, over the Kamchik
Pass, and enjoy a picnic lunch in this scenic area. Arrive in
Tashkent late afternoon
►For Tashkent hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 4: Tashkent & Samarkand, UZBEKISTAN
This morning tour Tashkent. Dating back to the 5th century, the city
grew into an important trading post on the Great Silk Road. Your
tour will visit the old city to see the Tillya Sheikh Mosque, with
its rich library of ancient manuscripts; the 16th century Barak
Khana Madrasah (Seminary); and the Kukeldash Madrasah, now an
Islamic primary school. Stroll through the colorful “Chorsu” Bazaar,
before visiting the Fine Arts Museum to see the Zoroastrian
artifacts and the 1000-year-old Buddhist statues. After lunch at a
local restaurant, drive south to Samarkand, in the picturesque
valley of the Zerafshan River.
►Some suggested Samarkand hotels (in alphabetical order): Hotel Asia Samarkand Registan Plaza Samarkand Plaza
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 5: Samarkand, UZBEKISTAN
Samarkand was the capital of ancient Sogdiana, and is one of the
oldest cities in the world. Your full day city sightseeing begins at
Registan Square, a medieval center of trade, to see the three
beautiful madrasahs built in the 13th, 15th and 16th centuries.
Next, visit the Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis,
a pilgrimage site of more than 20 mausoleums built between the
11th-19th centuries, and where you can see the finest samples of
majolica, mosaic and terracotta tile work. Break for lunch at a
local restaurant. This afternoon explore the ancient site of
Samarkand and the 500-acre Afrosiab Site & Museum. See its
collections of pottery, weaponry and coinage, and its remarkable
model of the city in the 6th century. Visit the Ulugbek Observatory,
where Ulugbek and other scholars completed the famous "Tables of
stars.” End the day at the Samarkand Winery for local wine tasting.
Learn about the region’s ancient history of winemaking dating back
to the 1st century BC.
►For Samarkand hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 6: Samarkand, UZBEKISTAN
This morning’s tour will explore the History Museum to see its vast
collection of beautiful costume and tribal art. View the Alfiya’s
Gallery’s collection of materials and old art work, and visit one of
the local Samarkand artisan houses. Enjoy the unique experience of
visiting an Uzbek family to see how local cuisine is prepared. If
you like you can join in the cooking of traditional Uzbek pulao,
baking bread and samsa.
►For Samarkand hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 7: Shakre Sabz & Bukhara, UZBEKISTAN
Departing Samarkand, your first stop is Shakhrisabz, birthplace of
the ruler Timur. The town has a relaxed atmosphere which you can see
reflected in its teahouses and traditional homes. Visit the village
market full of handmade embroidery and carpets. Explore the ruins of
the “White” or Ak Sarai Palace, built by Khorezm artisans in the
late 1300s. You will see the Dorus Tilavat seminary, Kok Gumbaz
(Blue Dome) mosque, and the Timurids’ family crypt at Dorus Siodat.
Relax with a local Uzbek family over lunch. Drive west to the city
of Bukhara, an ancient city dating back to the 4th century BC.
Tonight see a colorful and lively folkloric show.
►Some suggested Bukhara hotels (in alphabetical order): Omar Khayyam Zargaron Plaza
► Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 8: Bukhara, UZBEKISTAN
The city of Bukhara is literally an open-air museum. With more than
400 monuments revealing its history as the Great Silk Road meeting
point for various cultures including the Zoroastrians, Persians,
Buddhists and Turk tribes. Today’s sightseeing starts in the heart
of the city, at Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, a showcase of Bukharan
architecture and a local gathering place. Tour the Mogaki Attari
Mosque, housing remnants and decorations from many regions and
religions, including a Buddhist temple. Explore Tilpak Frushan, the
hat sellers market. Other stops include the madrasahs of Aziz Khan
and Ulugbek and Poi Kalon with its grand Kalon Minaret. This
afternoon visit Arg Fortress, the Balo-Khauz Mosque, the 9th century
Samanid Mausoleum and the Chasma Ayub (biblical Job’s Spring). End
the day watching a traditional Puppet show. Tonight enjoy dinner at
Studio Bukhara to taste the Silk Road cuisine.
►For Bukhara hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 9: Bukhara, UZBEKISTAN
This morning, travel to Sitora-I-Makhi-Khosa (palace of Moon and
Stars), which was the summer residence of the last emir of Bukhara.
See the impressive Imperial Russian collection, political gifts sent
to the emir, and exhibit of traditional Suzzane embroidery and
needlepoint. Continue to visit the shrine of famous Sufi Saint,
known as the “palace of miracles.” This afternoon travel to Paikand,
one of the Transoxiana cities dating back to the 1st century BC.
Visit with local archaeologists currently engaged in research at the
area sites. Then there is time to explore the covered markets.
Tonight enjoy a classical music concert with dinner.
►For Bukhara hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 10: Bukhara to Khiva, UZBEKISTAN
Today, drive northwest through Kizilkum and the red sands. See the
wide expanse of Amudarya or Oxus River, an important water source
for caravans that travelled the Great Silk Road. Arrive in Khiva in
the afternoon, for a short walking tour through this ancient walled
city. ►Suggested hotel: Hotel Asia Khiva, Khiva
DAY 11: Khiva, UZBEKISTAN
This morning take a walking tour through ‘Ichan Kala,’ the heart of
the city, surrounded by a mile-long wall protecting its rich
architecture of tall minarets, doomed roofs, carved pillars and
doors. Tour Kunya Ark, a fortified citadel and ruler residence, the
Rakhim Khan Madrasah and the mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud,
wrestler, poet, philosopher and Khiva’s patron saint. Visit the
Islam Khodja Minaret and Museum, built in 1910, it houses a
wonderful display of fine Uzbek handicrafts. After lunch at a local
restaurant, see Juma Mosque (the Friday mosque) and Tash Khauli
Palace and Harem with its ceramic tile and carved marble
decorations. Enjoy time examining the local crafts at the Caravan
Bazaar. ►Suggested hotel: Hotel Asia Khiva, Khiva
DAY 12: Khiva, UZBEKISTAN to Tashauz & Ashbagabat, TURKMENISTAN
This morning drive into Turkmenistan, a country of priceless
archeological finds left by dozens of tribes and cultures. After
lunch, continue to Kunya Urgench, once the Khnorezm capital which
was destroyed by Genghis Khan and again by Tamerlane. Visit the
colorful and large Turabke Khanym Mausoleum, with its brilliant
campanile, grape blue and opal green tile decorations. Also explore
the mausoleums of Arsalan II and Najmuddin Kubra, as well as Kutlug
Temur Minaret, the tallest in Central Asia. Drive to Tashauz for
your flight to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. ►Some suggested Ashgabat hotels (in alphabetical order): Hotel Grand Turkmen, Ashgabat Hotel Oguzkent – Ashgabat ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 13: Ashgabat & Merv, TURKMENISTAN
Today fly to Mary, then drive to the Merv oasis for a full day
excursion of this famous archaeological site. Dating back to the 6th
century BC, Merv was a thriving center for culture and trade, and a
very valued station on the Great Silk Road. Your tour includes
visits to Sultan-Kala and the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the 6th
century BC fortress of Erk-Kala and Gayur-kala, or ‘Castle of the
Infidels,’ where Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Christianity
coexisted. In the city of Mary, visit the Archaeological Museum and
its display of artifacts excavated from the Merv oasis. Fly back to
Ashgabat in the afternoon. ►For Ashgabat hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 14: Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN
Enjoy the last day of your journey touring the highlights of
Ashgabat. In the morning, visit the great Sunday Market, the
Tolkuchka Bazaar. See nomadic Turkmen tribesmen including Saryks,
Tekkes and Yamuds come from the local villages to sell their crafts.
After lunch, visit Nissa, the archeological site of the former
winter capital of Parthians. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the State
Museum of History with its remarkable display of ivory and carpets.
Tonight enjoy a special dinner in a local restaurant. ►For Ashgabat hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 15: Depart Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN
Today you are taken to the airport for your flight home or on to
your next destination.